Ford chooses Lincoln dealers in China

10/9/2013

ASSOCIATED PRESS

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford remains on track to bring its Lincoln luxury brand to China by the end of 2014.

Ford’s Asia Pacific chief Dave Schoch said Wednesday that the company has selected “10 or 11” dealers. Four will be open by the time Lincolns go on sale next year in the coastal cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Schoch wouldn’t say which Lincolns will go on sale first, but the MKZ sedan is a good bet. Initially, Ford will ship Lincolns from North America instead of building them in China.

Ford brand sales have jumped 51 percent in China so far this year thanks to new vehicles like the Kuga and EcoSport SUVs. Schoch expects Ford’s Chinese market share to double to 5 percent by the end of this year.

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